Handler of stolen goods is snared on ebay

An offender with a hoard of stolen goods was snared after he tried to sell some of his ill-gotten gains on ebay.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Monday, April 14, how Andrew Gibbs, 20, of Springfield Crescent, Bolsover, had cheaply bought stolen goods including £4,823 of musical equipment, two sets of golf clubs, a lawn mower and a tool box.

Prosecuting solicitor Ian Shaw said: “One of the sets of clubs was advertised on ebay and the owner of the stolen clubs recognised them and the police were contacted and visited Gibbs’ address where a number of stolen items were recovered. Cannabis was also recovered that day worth £10. During a further visit more property was recovered and this was also identified as stolen.”

Gibbs pleaded guilty to four counts of handling stolen goods, between June and September, including the musical equipment belonging to Oliver Parker, golf clubs belonging to Lee Walton, another set of clubs belonging to Ben Slack, and a lawn mower and tool box belonging to Wesley Childerly. Gibbs also pleaded guilty to possessing a class B drug.

Mr Shaw said there had been a spate of vehicle break-ins and the two thieves who sold the goods to Gibbs have been convicted separately.

Philip Bloore, defending, said: “A particular concern was the musical equipment which is specialised and Gibbs had no idea what it was used for. Police told Gibbs there had been a reward for the return of the goods and he could have taken that.”

Mr Bloore added Gibbs has a cannabis problem and has sought medical help. District Judge Andrew Davison sentenced Gibbs to a one-year community order with 160 hours’ unpaid work and supervision. He was ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.